Overview

Witness the transformation of solid gold into paper-like leaves on a tour of the traditional Battiloro workshop in Venice. Learn how this delicate 18th-century craft is kept alive at Europe’s only such workshop, and watch skilled artisans at work creating the gold sheets used in decorative arts, cosmetics, and more.

40-minute tour of the Battiloro goldbeating workshop in Venice

Visit the only surviving workshop dedicated to this traditional craft in all of Europe

What To Expect

Make your way to the Battiloro workshop in Venice, housed in a historic building once used by the Renaissance painter Titian. Today, it’s the only workshop of it’s kind in all of Europe.

During the 40-minute tour, explore the history of the family-owned company that dates back to 1926 and still uses traditional methods to transform gold, silver, and other precious metals into delicate paper-like leaves. Watch skilled artisans carefully extract the thin sheets from solid metal bars, and learn the various uses for this unique and beautiful substance, including cosmetics; decorative arts like beading, mosaics, gilding, and decoupage; and even edible gold.

Group size is limited to five people, ensuring personalized attention from the guide and making this an intimate and unique experience ideal for families.